Sunday 28th May

May 28, 2017

On Thursday we were delighted with the effort shown by THE MAJOR who has been off the track since September. He settled lovely and when asked for his effort he looked to just get slightly tired entering the final furlong. We can surely find a winnable opportunity for him and he looks as though he may appreciate a bit further. We rounded the evening of with another win for the fantastic BIG ORANGE. He is such an amazing flagbearer for the yard and we are so lucky to have him. He was soon dictating matters and never looked in much danger, winning with plenty in hand. It was a real confidence booster as he has had some hard races travelling round the world in the last six months. Hopefully he will have another good year and let’s hope for a Hot June so that he gets his ground at Royal Ascot. At Chelmsford, GLASSALT could not overcome her poor draw and never got competitive. Hopefully she should be seen to better effect next time.

On Friday we had declared the two runners at Haydock. We started the afternoon off with RAY’S THE MONEY. He ran a strange race having missed the break and when he was asked for his effort he looked to reluctantly stay on to finish fourth. He appears to hold stacks of ability and we just need to work on getting him to use it. Later on the card we were delighted to see DREAM MACHINE get off the mark at Haydock. He had been working nicely at home so we expected a nice run from him. Returning from a six-month break, he had been gelded over the winter which seemed to improve him. He appreciated the step up in trip and when asked for his effort, he travelled strongly into the lead to score his win. In the evening we headed to Pontefract with BABAMUNCHKIN. She had been stepped up in trip on what was her handicap debut. She was settled in off the pace and although she ran on to be nearest at the finish, she never got involved. The race did not appear to pan out for her and she looks as though she will be suited by a more strongly-run affair.

Yesterday we started the day off at Haydock and we hoped that the rain would arrive as this would have greatly enhanced FIRE BRIGADE’S chances. He was not the best away and finished the best of those coming from off the pace, despite not getting the best of runs when making his challenge. It was a good effort as things did go slightly against him. At Goodwood poor BATTS ROCK had no luck and at one stage was lucky not to have been brought down. Up until then he had been travelling well and we know he is capable of making his mark in Handicap Company. We will see how he has come out of the race before making further plans. We rounded the day off with ICE DANCING at York. She took a keen hold early on and then found herself a bit short of room. She never really got herself into the race and I am sure she is better than this effort would suggest.

Tomorrow we head to Chelmsford with the two runners. We start the afternoon off with JOE’S SPIRIT who looks to have come out of his Bath race well. He seems to have progressed for the run and we hope he will be competitive under Franny Norton who deputises for the injured Lulu Stanford. Later on the card TAPER TANTRUM takes his chance and he was slightly disappointing at Newcastle on his last start. He has been in good form at home and so we are slightly puzzled why he is not running well.

On Tuesday our only runner is CHEVAL BLANCHE at Leicester. Sadly as previously mentioned Lulu Stanford has injured herself and so cannot take up the ride which is a real shame as she seems to get on really well with the filly. George Wood comes in for the ride who is a very good five pound claimer. She appears in good form and looks a really progressive type.